Marcos Is `Embarrassed` To Run Against A Woman

December 15, 1985|United Press International

LIPA, PHILIPPINES — President Ferdinand Marcos began his re-election campaign Saturday by saying he was embarrassed to run against a woman, Corazon Aquino, and accused her of aligning herself with communists.

Marcos avoided mentioning his opponent by name at a rally in Batangas province, where Aquino kicked off her campaign two days ago.

He told the crowd that greeted him at Fernando Air Force Base that he viewed her candidacy in the Feb. 7 election as a ``joke,`` and warned her election would lead to ``10 years of instability`` and bloodshed.

``Regarding my opponent, it seems that I feel embarrassed,`` the president said. ``It is odd if it is a woman challenging you. It`s better if it`s a man. If it`s a woman, it might lead to something bad.``

Marcos, 68, said he would prefer not to debate Aquino but added he would not mind a ``pleasant conversation.`` He said his father taught him, ``Don`t ever argue with a woman.``

The president traveled by helicopter to the vote-rich province, accompanied by his wife, Imelda, running mate Arturo Tolentino, Defense Minister Juan Ponce Enrile and Armed Forces Chief Gen. Fabian Ver, who was recently cleared of charges of complicity in the August 1983 slaying of Aquino`s husband, Benigno, Marcos` archrival.

Batangas, 50 miles south of Manila, is the home of Salvador Laurel, Aquino`s running mate. Laurel`s cousin, the provincial governor, snubbed Marcos` visit.

Marcos was greeted by thousands of flag-waving supporters and hundreds of air force personnel.

Schoolchildren dressed in native costumes danced and supporters waved banners with the campaign slogans ``Needed now more than ever`` and ``Tested in Crisis.``

Imelda Marcos, a former beauty queen, serenaded the crowd with love songs at the request of the base commander. At a news conference later, she tossed handfuls of coins in the direction of bewildered journalists.

In a speech that stressed Philippine independence and his handling of a communist insurgency, Marcos blasted the opposition, saying it is ``openly working to obtain the favors of a foreign power`` and had ``foolishly bedded`` with the communists.

For the first time, he also dealt at length on what he called the lack of qualifications of Aquino, saying her policies would divide the country, and of her advisers, many of whom he said were ``red.``

Marcos noted the Philippines` strategic geographic position might embroil it in a major regional conflict in the future, and said, ``It is therefore necessary that whoever is commander-in-chief of the armed forces must know a little of military science.``